Flames coaching staff failed
While injuries will be chalked up as the formatted excuse as to why the Calgary Flames, with ample talent could not advance out of the first round but the real reason the the Flames flamed out this year and the excuse they should be using is that their powerplay failed this year.
The Calgary Flames finished the season on a streak of 10 games and 43 powerplay opportunities WITHOUT a powerplay goal. A span which saw them fall from 12th to 21st place in overall league powerplay proficiency.
Before Olli Jokinen, Calgary PP% was in the top half of the league. With Olli Jokinen, dead last.
In the playoffs the Flames have been no better having scored just two goals with the man advantage through five games and two periods compared to the seven the Blackhawks have scored on the powerplay.
Unfortunately for the Flames coaching staff, the problem with this team is that one very talented team cannot score when they have an extra man on the ice. The buck stops with you this time and if you can’t find away to get the man on the ice WITHOUT someone covering him clear shots on goal, than it is time to get someone who can.
What the Flames need now is a technical X’s and O’s coach. Keenan is was more of a rah rah, fire the troops up kinda coach and he doesn’t even do that anymore.
It would not surprise me in the least if Darryl Sutter is behind the bench next season for the Flames and his brother Brent taking the post in the season which follows.
